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Brachymeria nephantidis
These parasitic wasps control many agricultural pests. Size about 8mm. She lands near the host and searches for a suitable place. Then goes on to make a hole by biting through the rolled up leaf. Then extends the ovipositor to lay her eggs inside the cocooned larva. On the fourth picture, if looking closely, one could see the ovipositor in action. The last picture shows the doomed larva.
Spotted on chilly plant in my terrace garden.
Spotted on Dec 16, 2017
Submitted on Dec 16, 2017
9 Comments
Thank you Leuba...
Another brilliant spotting ! Thanks
Thank you Project Noah. Ashley, it's a great honour for me to be short listed. Thank you.
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Thank you Mark..
Incredible spotting Sunny. Impressive little chalcid too.
Thank you Danielle and Christine...
I think the host is a caterpillar of Bean pod borer.
Wow, what an amazing process to witness! Great shots!
Fantastic series Sunny! Do you happen to know what the host was in this case?